Trailer to bow ladder for V20 Sport Fish

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deepguy

New member
Got the boat last summer and had a good time with it.
The only problem is I have to have someone help launch and land the
boat as it is too tough for me to climb the trailer etc. I know you can get
boat ladder that go from bow to land, or transom ladders. Those type just weren't the type I wanted so to Internet I went. Found a few options but were not just right.
So now I got one of the local shops building the steps now.

Some of you like me might like a set. So I thought I put my 2 cents in that may help someone else get started.

The problems I found is for the steps not to be to wide as trailer would get into tow vehicle. The next problem was to get by the trolling motor on center of the bow. So we have came up with a slanted version. Smaller steps at the bottom getting bigger at the top to be able to step around the motor
as you go.
Putting a few starter pic up.
 

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Keep em coming Deep. I've wanted a set of steps for a while now. I think they would be down-right USEFUL!
 
more step pics

Got them on and tried them out. Way too good to pass up.
I will probably have to make some adjustments, As I would need to see
what they do in relation to boat launch. I know I'll move them futher away than they are now to be on the safe side.
I can see the kids and grand kids using them now.

I will be doing the trailer guides next month. Thinking of 2x6 treated lumber and outdoor carpet on the side boards. Not sure how strong
they need to be when bumped with boat doing comming in at idle in gear.
So will be thinking about that.
 

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Very nice.....I have been kicking that idea around a little bit myself. With my wife attending to the 2 kids I launch alone almost virtually every time I go out. At 44 I can still get up and over the bow rail no problem after disconnecting the cable but guaranteed the day will come where it gets a little harder. More importantly I dont like the strain I put on the bow rail pulling myself up and over repeatedly.....Being I'm in the sheet metal business I could get one thrown together from stuff lying around in no time but I guess its like the shoemakers kids with no shoes thing.
 
Sideboards

deepguy said:
I will be doing the trailer guides next month. Thinking of 2x6 treated lumber and outdoor carpet on the side boards.
Click to expand...

Deep guy,
I think 2x6's will be plenty strong enough for the sideboards. Actually I think 2x4s would do it - that's what most people I see use.
I've got a different idea for covering the boards, instead of carpet - where I work we made a set and covered the inside, top, bottom and ends with Azek, which is a PVC lumber material a little like starboard, but considerably cheaper. Attached it with countersunk screws. Worked great and should last virtually forever.
 
lost my carpet on the keel bunks under the bow and i replaced it with a political sign my neighbor had. its about as thick as cardboard and bent around the 2x6's and i stapled it with monel staples. i thought it would make do until i could put carpet on. that was 3 years ago and its still there with no issues. in fact i like it better, slippery when wet and does not hold water against the wood. best part is running by boat over a candidate i voted against.
 
specs on the step setup.

RWilson2526 said:
Very nice.....I have been kicking that idea around a little bit myself. With my wife attending to the 2 kids I launch alone almost virtually every time I go out. At 44 I can still get up and over the bow rail no problem after disconnecting the cable but guaranteed the day will come where it gets a little harder. More importantly I dont like the strain I put on the bow rail pulling myself up and over repeatedly.....Being I'm in the sheet metal business I could get one thrown together from stuff lying around in no time but I guess its like the shoemakers kids with no shoes thing.
Click to expand...

First step above tongue is 12x6x 1.5 inches
Second step 13x6x 1.5 inches
Third step 14x6x1.5 inches.
The post is 3 inches
The height of each step is from 12 to 24 to 36,inches.
They added the step below the tongue 6x12x 1.5 inches own their own.
Which made the setup a little nicer.
The measurement I had from bow to tongue was 47 inches.

Do not know hand rail size but think it is .5 inch diameter.
They added the hand grab rail between step 2 and step 3 on their own
and that is handy to hold on when standing on the ground getting ready
to go up.
Wanted a slick step with sandpaper strips as I did not want them
to be too rough on feet if bare footed.
You could go lighter material. But these steps feel good and do not give or move while using them.

Deepguy
 
Now that's no fun, this takes the whole gamble out of stepping off onto the winch post...

JK- Looks nice, I'll tell you what I would of loved to have that on my last trailer, it takes only once to slip off that post and give your boys a good slam on the way down to realize you need a real step. Believe me.

-Svence
 
Good one CV. A long time ago a buddy of mine fell backwards onto a trailer. I think it was a jetski? Not sure exactly the scenario but you should see the scars on his back! Ouch!

Those steps are SHAWEEEEEET!!!! Good job DEEP and thanks for the documentary!
 
Thanks for the dimensional information. Studying your pics some more its no wonder you needed a ladder. The way your winch post is compared to mine I dont think anyone is making that leap up there.

The only reason I can get over mine so easily is I can hop from the tongue to the spare tire to the top of the winchpost and up.... Thinking of adding a tread or two off the winchpost to make it a little more sure footed.

DSCF5329.jpg
 
The steps are sweet looking for sure.. very professional job. Well done. :clap:



Not sure if this should be posted on this thread, but I have to comment/ask. I've never gone over the front rail when launching or retreiving. In truth, I don't even understand... why you would do such a thing?

I have a 3/8" nylon line about 50 foot long with a snap hook on the end that I secure to one of the bow cleats. When I come into the ramp I tie up at the dock, go get my truck and back it into position on the ramp, then I just pull my boat from the dock to the trailer, hook the winch cable to it and pull the lanyard to have the winch pull the boat onto the trailer while I guide it from the backside. When launching, I just reverse the steps. Back trailer into position on ramp, release clutch on winch to allow boat to go into water and pull winch cable out for retreiving later, (I keep promising myself that I'm going to weld an eye onto the back of the trailer to hook the winch cable to, but normally I just wrap it around the last crossmember). unhook boat from the cable and pull it to the dock. Never had a problem, takes very little time and makes the trailering part of the trip an easy chore.

I suppose that if I had a second driver in the truck it would make it even faster, but people in hell want ice water, (meaning that you can't always get what you want). Since I do a lot of fishing by myself, I've found that this is the safest and quickest way for me to launch and retreive.
 
That's definitely the way I do it except when I go out of the Atlantic Highlands which is probably at least half my outings.....When you are in the middle of that 6 boat wide ramp there aint no other way to get in the boat .
 
RWilson2526 said:
That's definitely the way I do it except when I go out of the Atlantic Highlands which is probably at least half my outings.....When you are in the middle of that 6 boat wide ramp there aint no other way to get in the boat .
Click to expand...

True....I forgot about that place RW. Haven't launched from the Highlands in years.. Great ramp, nice slope etc... but it's just too damn crowded for my blood.

If I'm trailering all the way down the parkway to 117 I like Leonardo a lot better.. 2 boat wide, very steep, short ramp, but easy as pie to launch from because of the angle.
I average seeing at least 2 vehicles being pulled up the ramp per year because they are 2 wheel drive and their wheels are just spinning....4WD is a must for that ramp. Low tide is the worst because the bottom of the ramp is slimy concrete.. not much traction even for a 4WD. But I'll still take that ramp over Highlands.

I still like the Secaucus free launch ramp and the run down the river to the hook. For me it's the easiest and I don't mind the extra fuel I burn.
I figure that I actually save money by launching free, not paying tolls and not sitting in traffic for several hours on my way back home.
 
Destroyer said:
The steps are sweet looking for sure.. very professional job. Well done. :clap:

Not sure if this should be posted on this thread, but I have to comment/ask. I've never gone over the front rail when launching or retrieving. In truth, I don't even understand... why you would do such a thing?

.
Click to expand...

Couple of reasons not using a rope as you suggest. The places I launch have lots of rocks and want to stay out of them. Do not want to get in the water for any reason.
Also I want to start motor before disconnecting from trailer so the back and forth to the tongue can be easier to do.
Last of all want to avoid gymnastics.

I launch my Jon boat in the fashion as you described using a rope etc.
It hits rocks etc but is light and can be pushed off with a paddle.
 
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deepguy said:
Couple of reasons not using a rope as you suggest. The places I launch have lots of rocks and want to stay out of them. Do not want to get in the water for any reason.
Also I want to start motor before disconnecting from trailer so the back and forth to the tongue can be easier to do.
Last of all want to avoid gymnastics.

I launch my Jon boat in the fashion as you described using a rope etc.
It hits rocks etc but is light and can be pushed off with a paddle.
Click to expand...

Gotcha.. It's funny, up here in the artic circle we mostly have launch ramps, so I never think about launching my boat without one. Your solution makes a lot of sense. Thanks for teaching an old dog a new trick. :beer:
 
No problem...oh I forgot

Destroyer said:
Gotcha.. It's funny, up here in the artic circle we mostly have launch ramps, so I never think about launching my boat without one. Your solution makes a lot of sense. Thanks for teaching an old dog a new trick. :beer:
Click to expand...
Guess I'll add that I'm also retired and a 100% DAV.
So I do have problems with some task.
My son can hop up there. when he goes with me. But I needed a way for me. :sun:
 
I never fish alone any more so its great driving on and off!!

But I will never forget the day I slipped off the bow and bent the bow rail trying to hold on!! :cen:
 
Steps look sweet. I think about building some for about 10-15 seconds everytime I launch the V and have to do the ol' winch post climbing routine.
 
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